Kelowna Rockets WHL home opener is tonight

The Kelowna Rockets open the Western Hockey League season at home tonight, facing off against the Kamloops Blazers at Prospera Place (7 p.m.) in the second half of a home and home series between the two teams.

After a 5-2 win last night in Kamloops, the Rockets will raise the WHL BC Division Championship banner in front of their home crowd before trying to repeat their performance from 24 hours prior.

There are tickets still available for tonight’s home opener through Select Your Tickets. Order your tickets at the Prospera Place box office or call 250-762-5050.

Friday’s season debut saw the Rockets defeat the Blazers on the road by a 5-2 score.

Rourke Chartier scored twice and added an assist to lead the Rockets to victory. Justin Kirkland, Riley Stadel, and Austin Glover also scored for Kelowna who went 1 for 6 on the power-play, while staving off the Blazers who were 0-for-4 with the man advantage.

For the Rockets, the win last night came without two of its top players as Myles Bell and Damon Severson, both New Jersey Devils draft picks, were scratched from the game.

Bell, last year’s leading scorer, was re-assigned to Kelowna from the Devils and is expected to be in the arena for Saturday night’s game. It is still uncertain whether or not he will dress.

Severson remains with the Devils but is eligible to return. At 19, Severson must either play in the NHL or in the WHL.

Up next for the Rockets after the home opener is a home game against the Victoria Royals on Saturday, September 28th.